Thursday, July 30, 2015

(from Joseph and His Brothers by Thomas Mann, translation by John E. Woods)
". . . So he took his Egyptian handmaid and sired with her a son and named him Ismael. But what he had sired was a detour, leading not to the road of salvation, but belonging to the desert, and the primal father did not believe God's assurances that he would also still have a son named Isaak by his true wife, but fell upon his face laughing at God's word, for he was already one hundred and Sarah's life was no longer after the manner of women. But nonetheless this laugher was reshaped in her, so that Yitzchak, the averted sacrifice, appeared of whom it was said from on high that he would sire twelve princes - which was not quite correct. God misspoke Himself at times and did not mean precisely what He said. It was not Isaak who sired the twelve, or only indirectly. Actually he had done it, the solemn teller of stories himself, on whose lips the country girl hung-Jacob, brother of the Red Man, had sired them by four women while serving that devil Laban in Shinar. . . "

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

I never have put much stock in the interpretation of dreams. The vast and varied array of characters, places and circumstances always appeared to be too outrageous, too unbelievable, to be able to place any stock in or to glean any worthy or rational lesson, instruction or insight therefrom. It almost seemed as if the nature, detail or level of gruesomeness contained in my dreams was purely the result of the food that I consumed at the dinner table and nothing more.

But now in my increasing years (and hopefully accompanying wisdom) dreams, like so many other aspects of life that I (and we all) ponder from time to time, no longer seem to be such a cut-and-dried affair (black-and-white, if you will and NO pun intended). On a (for lack of a better word) 'higher' plane, and when one does not attempt to skew, elucidate or embellish the significance of any one aspect, interpreting dreams may not be so ridiculous a pursuit as I once thought.

In short, I now view dreams in a broad, very, very human way as first, reflecting many and varied thoughts that cross our minds during the course of a normal day. But in addition to a reflection, maybe dreams are also a mechanism to reassure, comfort, or even dare I say - instruct us about situations or issues with which we are confronted being the mortal animals that we are. Much like the strength we glean from the support of friends, family and community in the instance of an abnormal human tragedy. Or even not unlike the comfort we receive during bereavement which girds and grounds and sends us back into the fray of our everyday lives.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

The difference between a wise and foolish man is this--the former sees much, thinks much, and speaks little; but the latter speaks more than he either sees or thinks.
William Scott Downey, Proverbs

An ignorant man is always able to say yes or no immediately to any proposition. To a wise man, comparatively few things can be propounded which do not require a response with qualifications, with discriminations, with proportion.
Horace Mann, Thoughts

There is a wisdom of the Head, and ... there is a wisdom of the Heart.
Charles Dickens, Hard Times

Let men be wise by instinct if they can, but when this fails be wise by good advice.
Sophicles, Antigone

Wisdom is not communicable. The wisdom which a wise man tries to communicate always sounds foolish.... Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.
Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

Wisdom is the daughter of experience.
Leonardo Da Vinci, Thoughts on Art and Life

Wisdom comes only through suffering.
Aeschylus, Agamemnon

Be very slow to believe that you are wiser than all others; it is a fatal but common error.
Charles Caleb Coltron, Lacon

An intelligent man believes only half of what he hears, a wise man knows which half.
Evan Esar, 20,000 Quips & Quotes

Wisdom is a treasure, the key whereof is never lost.
Edward Counsel, Maxims

Monday, July 27, 2015

(from http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/obamas-real-record-poverty)
". . . Obama expanded the safety net through his 2009 stimulus, but the legislation actually prevented even more Americans from falling into poverty through larger tax credits, emergency unemployment benefits, and expanded food assistance. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) estimates that the recovery act ultimately kept about 7 million people above the poverty line. . .

. . . The more important question to ask is whether Obama could have done more to alleviate poverty during the worst of the recession. . . the president was hardly the only one at the helm: It wasn’t the Republicans’ priority either. “Both the president and the Republican party really weren’t focused on jobs.". . . ”

Sunday, July 26, 2015

(http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/mcdonalds-all-day-breakfast-may-debut-nationwide-october-n396621)
". . . Pope Francis' popularity in the United States has dropped significantly . . . fueled in part by conservatives . . . 59 percent of Americans have a favorable view of the pontiff, down from 76 percent a year ago. The plunge was greatest among those who identify as conservatives — from 72 percent a year ago to 45 percent now. . . Francis' criticism of capitalism, comments on climate change and focus on the poor may have hurt him with conservatives. Liberals who were drawn to Francis' populist message may have become impatient with the slow pace of change in church policy, the pollsters theorized. . . "

Saturday, July 25, 2015

(from http://factivists.democrats.org/jeb-bush-college-affordability-its-just-more-free-stuff/)
". . . a quality, affordable college education is just more “free stuff.” . . . Jeb Bush never cared much about college affordability: As Governor, Bush consistently proposed budgets that hiked college tuition – and the average in-state tuition in Florida’s public university system increased by nearly 60%. Bush called the Ryan Budget – that eviscerated Pell Grants – “refreshingly honest.” Jeb Bush left office with Florida student debt above the national average. “This shows once again that Jeb Bush is looking out for those like himself while letting the middle class suffer. . . "

Catch a wave and ride
Cars and motorbikes
Bikini babes in the sand
Vibin' to rockin' bands
Ocean City

From Memorial to Labor Day
We beckon you to play
To a boardwalk beat
Miles and miles of beach
Your memories to take
Currents dance and sway
leave your footprints in the sand

Fireworks at night
Give your love a kiss
Sail and fish the sea
Here life is a beach
in Ocean City

Now is the time that's right
For you only live once
Time does drag when it's all work and no fun
The ocean gateway calls you
Sport your shorts and shades
It's so divine to dine at life's buffet
It's almost heaven and
There's so much more we can say

Catch a wave and ride
Cool cars and motorbikes
Bikinis on the sand
Dance to rockin' bands
Ocean City

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

. . . I'm not sure how the U.S. qualifies to direct the world in this, and many other, matters except for the fact that we have the ability, and if it is up to many current Republicans also the will, to blow just about anybody away that we choose . . .

. . . so what's wrong with an agreement and a little optimism ?. . .

(from http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/iran-nuclear-talks/iran-nuclear-deal-n390461)
". . . The president spoke after Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called the agreement a "historic moment" and a "win-win solution" with the potential to usher in a "new chapter of hope" in relations. . . Both Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry billed the agreement as critical to averting broader conflict, with Kerry telling NBC News that "Israel is safer" as a result — but Israeli officials insisted it would have the opposite effect. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal gave Iran a "sure path to nuclear weapons," while Science Minister Danny Danon called the accord "dangerous for the entire free world." . . . However, the EU's chief negotiator said the terms were "balanced" and respected the interests of "all sides." . . . It involves limiting Iran's nuclear production for 10 years and Tehran's access to nuclear fuel and equipment for 15 years in return for hundreds of millions of dollars in sanctions relief. However, the sanctions would not be lifted until Iran proves to the International Atomic Energy Agency that it has met its obligations under the deal. . . "

Monday, July 20, 2015

(from Joseph and His Brothers by Thomas Mann, translations by John E. Woods)
". . . Jacob's son was almost as weary from standing before Pharoah as he had once been when he had had to play the mute servant for the old couple in the garden cottage. But young Pharaoh - despite all his tender feelings for gnats, chicks, the little mouse, and the son of the worm - apparently had no sense of this particular problem, for his was a royal and rather forgetful tenderness. Neither he nor the Mother-Goddess on her high throne even considered - were in fact probably incapable of considering - asking him to take a seat, however much his legs might feel like it and despite several charmingly inviting taborets with which the Cretan loggia was furnished. It was taxing, but when one knows what is at stake, one gladly puts of with a good many things and stands one's ground - a phrase that has rarely or perhaps never been more apt than on this long-ago occasion. . . "

Sunday, July 19, 2015

. . . your little game of self-importance
Show us just how wonderful you are
Dazzle with deception all the minions
Who have placed their trust in you
So innocent so true

Have you never placed yourself in someone else's shoes
Have you never tried to see their point of view
You're thorough to ensure that everything will go your way
Would you like them all to do the same to you

So now I find you don't want to look me in the eye
I hope I never sympathize with things you do
in the unrelenting interest of you

Back in school they taught us to be civil
Treat each other how you'd like to be
Even though you'd like to think you're special
We're the same both you and me
Have you ever tried to focus and just see

So now I find you don't want to look me in the eye
I hope I never sympathize with things you do
in the unrelenting interest of you

Walk a mile in someone else's shoes to know
Exactly how they feel
You might think the world owes you a favor but
It's still not right to steal

Please believe you me I'm not that sterling
Everyone does things they can regret
Even in the noblest you will find
Humanity will cause diversion from the truest path

But now I find you don't want to look me in the eye
I hope I never sympathize with things you do
in the unrelenting interest of you